The legal counsel for DAS represents the department in all legal matters and assists DAS and state agencies in matters related to state employment, procurement, and other DAS services. The Office of the General Counsel is divided into three main functions:
Employee Relations
This team investigates employee complaints regarding State of Iowa employment policies prohibiting:
- Violence in the workplace
- Sexual harassment
- Discrimination
Labor Relations
This group is made up of attorneys who represent Management during:
- Arbitration hearings
- Grievance hearings
- Classification appeals
- Collective bargaining negotiations
- Matters before the Employment Appeal Board (EAB)
- Matters involving the Attorney General's Office
Communications/Legislative Liaison
This area includes the DAS Communications Team and the DAS Legislative Liaison. Collectively, these employees handle:
- Requests under Iowa open records laws
- DAS Press Releases and media engagement
- Coordination of DAS’s administrative rules
- Representation of DAS’s interests before the Iowa legislature